Helmut Marko has confirmed that Pink Bull will delay the announcement of its 2026 F1 driver line-up in favor of championship competition earlier than making a remaining determination.
Max Verstappen is 36 factors behind the chief with 4 races remaining after the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.
Pink Bull has not but determined who will companion Verstappen in 2026.
Izak Hajar is anticipated to be promoted alongside Verstappen subsequent yr, with two seats remaining in Pink Bull’s junior workforce Racing Bulls.
After the race in Mexico, Marko revealed that driver choices might be made after Abu Dhabi in December.
“I wish to deal with combating for the championship first, so I postponed the choice till the tip of the season,” he mentioned, as quoted by Motorsport.com.
“No, however it will likely be round Abu Dhabi. We simply have to deal with the championship first.”
Pink Bull supervisor Laurent Mekies admitted he was “in no hurry” to make the choice.
“We wish to take a bit of extra time earlier than deciding on a driver. (Kakuda) Yuki is progressing and the opposite youngsters are progressing as properly,” Mekies defined.
“As for the choice, I settle for that everybody desires to make it rapidly. However we’re not in a rush. We are going to take on a regular basis we want.”
“And we’ll give them as many possibilities as potential to show on monitor who’s the most effective driver.”
Lindblad leaves an impression
To win the 2 Racing Bulls seats, Pink Bull might want to select between Hiroki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad.
Tsunoda has struggled since being promoted to Pink Bull, however has proven progress in current rounds.
Lawson confirmed flashes, however Hajar had the higher hand.
Lindblad impressed in his newest FP1 look for Pink Bull, changing Verstappen.
Of Lindblad, Mekies mentioned: “I believe he is accomplished an excellent job. It’s extremely tough to step up in FP1. Lately there are fewer tires and fewer laps, so it is fully totally different.”
“However he did an excellent job. You checked out all of the timesheets your self and he was very calm and gave all the appropriate suggestions. He did not put a improper foot and did not break the automotive!”
“So, to be sincere, he impressed us in that FP1, there is no query about that. And we’re wanting ahead to getting (him) within the automotive subsequent in the direction of the tip of the yr.”
